The astute clinician should know the common causes of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in order to recognize and treat this condition early.
Below is a brief differential diagnoses for increased ICP due to structural abnormalities:
- Tumor - more likely if in lateral ventricles, posterior fossa, or intraspinal.
- Spina Bifida - blocked cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow may cause Chiari Malformation II.
- Congenital AqueductalStenosis- associated with mental retardation, abducted thumbs.
- Craniosynostosis - results from premature closure of skull sutures.
- Dandy-Walker Syndrome - cystic deformity of fourth ventricle, hypoplasia of cerebellar
vermis, and enlarged posterior fossa.
- Arachnoid Cyst - common locations include middle and posterior fossa.
References
Chrander-Stumpel C., Fryns, J. P.; Congenital Hydrocephalus: Nosology and Guidelines for Clinical Approach and Genetic Counseling; Eur J Pediatr; 157:355-362, 1998.
Samii M., Carvallho, G. A., Schuhmann, M. U., Mattthies, C.; Arachnoid Cysts of the Posterior Fossa; Surgical Neurology; 51:376-382, 1999.
Tal, Y., Freigang, B., Dunn, H. G., Durity, F. A., Moyes, P. D.; Dandy-Walker Syndrome: Analysis of 21 Cases; Develop. Med. Child Neurol.; 22:189-201, 1980.
